Bloomington Indiana

Bloomington Transit looks to boost micro-transit numbers with free downtown zone trips

An interesting solution to the fact that people hate parking out of sight of their final destination. I've barely used this service as I've never been able to get the app to work, but I just tried it successfully so I may give it another go. Bloomington's entire downtown is tiny though, something like a six-block square.

https://bsquarebulletin.com/bloomington-transit-looks-to-boost-micro-transit-numbers-with-free-downtown-zone-trips/

@bloomington_in

#transit #parking

Transportation Commission inaugural meeting cancelled

Bloomington's Bike/Ped commission got shut down after they voted against adding stop signs all along a major bike route. It was supposed to be replaced with a new Transportation Commission, which has two members and seven vacancies and has never met.

Does Transportation here mean "cars" as it does in "INDOT"? It still remains to be seen.

https://bloomington.in.gov/boards/transportation-commission

@bloomington_in

#cycling #walking

New bike lane barriers on 3rd Street

Now we're getting somewhere! I really love these little barriers - they keep cars from encroaching on the bike lane and I'm sure they're very cheap (I still wouldn't let a six-year-old bike on 3rd Street though).

Also I went by Longview this afternoon and they're making good progress on a multi-use path there as well. Very exciting!

@bloomington_in

#BikeTooter #BikeLanes

Are parking fines a revenue center for Bloomington?

Good to see the B-Square getting back to solid investigative reporting! The city is doing a survey about parking, link in the article.

"When The B Square checked the city's online financial information to confirm the $1.61 million in revenue from parking fines in 2024 and $1.71 million for 2023, there did not appear to be a plausible line corresponding to those figures."

https://bsquarebulletin.com/are-parking-fines-a-revenue-center-for-the-city-of-bloomington/

@bloomington_in

#parking

Federal Agents Conduct Unannounced ICE Operations Across Bloomington, Sparking Fear and Confusion

"A series of unannounced sweeps by heavily armed federal agents in and around Bloomington this week has ignited widespread fear, anxiety, and speculation across the community, particularly among immigrants, refugees...Videos and photos began surfacing Tuesday morning, showing agents in tactical gear conducting door-to-door searches."

https://bloomingtonian.com/2025/05/01/federal-agents-conduct-unannounced-ice-operations-across-bloomington-sparking-fear-and-confusion/

@bloomington_in

#ICE

Property tax measure would short school funding by $750M

"According to a fiscal impact statement from the Legislative Services Agency, the bill would reduce property tax funding for public schools by three-quarters of a billion dollars over the next three years. Cities, towns and counties would also see big cuts."

Bloomington, in particular, would lose out on $17 million over the next three years, about 10% of expected revenue.

https://inschoolmatters.wordpress.com/2025/04/11/property-tax-measure-would-short-school-funding-by-750m/

@bloomington_in

#Education

Bloomington bike/ped improvements scheduled for this year

* 3rd Street Hawthorne to Rose Protected Bike Lane
* April-July: E. Longview Ave. Neighborhood Greenway
* May-August: Thornton/Arden Dr/Washington Neighborhood Greenway
* North Dunn Street Sidewalk Connection
* Winslow-Rogers median island at Xavier Court
* Crosswalk Improvement (Design)
* West 2nd Street Modernization and Safety Improvements

The first one might be complete? I haven't been by there yet.

@bloomington_in

#cycling

Photo gallery: Hundreds Protest Trump and Musk During “Hands Off” Day of Action in @bloomington_in

https://bloomingtonian.com/2025/04/05/gallery-hundreds-protest-trump-and-musk-during-hands-off-day-of-action-in-bloomington-indiana/?utm%5C_source=ben&utm%5C_medium=mastodon&utm%5C_campaign=gallery-hundreds-protest-trump-and-musk-during-hands-off-day-of-action-in-bloomington-indiana

#USPol #HandsOff

How not to build a bike lane

Stop sign. Go one block. Stop sign. Go one block. Stop sign. Bike lane closed. But good news, there's a sharrow marked in the car lane!

The worst is approaching Dunn Street from the east. You have to avoid eastbound traffic, westbound traffic, and southbound traffic as you try to get out of the bike lane and into the sharroad. Just a total cluster.

@bloomington_in

#BikeTooter #UrbanPlanning

Safety among public’s top concerns for Dunn Street Multiuse Project

"The $3.5-million project, funded by city bonds and federal money, would add a multiuse path along one side of North Dunn Street between the Indiana 45 Bypass and East Clover Lane. That’s the first street into the Blue Ridge neighborhood.

The overall goal is to improve accessibility to the Matlock Heights and Blue Ridge neighborhoods"

https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/safety-among-publics-top-concerns-for-dunn-street-multiuse-project.php

@bloomington_in

#cycling #UrbanPlanning

Bloomington Announces Ambitious New Transit Plan: The Monorail

"The sleek, single-rail system promises to reduce congestion, cut commute times, and introduce a futuristic flair to Bloomington’s skyline. Proposed features include onboard announcements narrated by a holographic Hoagy Carmichael and complimentary B-Line binoculars for riders to enjoy breathtaking views of limestone rooftops and urban deer."

https://bloomington.in.gov/news/2025/04/01/6206

@bloomington_in

#AprilFoolsDay

Storms coming through Bloomington

Tornado warning on the south side, but we've got a nice little thunderstorm up north as well. Power is out.

@bloomington_in

New data shows most dangerous streets in Monroe County, Indiana

"There have been 250 pedestrian-vehicle collisions in the reported years, 81 of which have caused serious injury. The most dangerous streets for pedestrians in Monroe County are in downtown Bloomington and Indiana University’s campus."

https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/new-data-shows-most-dangerous-streets-in-monroe-county.php

@bloomington_in

#walking

Bloomington 10th Street Safety Improvement survey

The city is considering improvements to 10th Street between Indiana and Walnut. It's a high-speed yet narrow corridor that goes between the north side of Indiana University and downtown, and I'm not sure what you could really do with it without removing at least one car lane. Still, fill out the survey here!

https://bloomington.in.gov/engineering/projects/10th

@bloomington_in

#cycling #PublicTransport #UrbanPlanning

Mystery solved: ghost bike on Ind. 45 damaged by snowplow, then recycled

"A bicycle memorial marking the site where (Michael Brooks) died after a van struck the bike he was riding nearly six years ago will return with the arrival of spring.

In January, motorists on Ind. 45 near Unionville noticed that a white bike which had long been attached to the street sign at the intersection with North Russell Road was gone."

https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2025/03/05/what-happened-to-michael-brooks-ghost-bike-memorial-on-russell-road/81165125007/

@bloomington_in

#cycling

Bloomington 7-Line to be ruined by stop signs

"Some cyclists had complained the stop signs would require them to stop at nearly every cross street, which would impede their momentum both up- and downhill. However, some bicyclists also said they were stopping at nearly every cross street anyway, because they always had to worry about inattentive and/or confused motorists failing to yield."

https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/news/local/2025/03/03/city-of-bloomington-to-reinstall-stop-signs-on-7th-street-bike-lane/80734844007/

@bloomington_in

#bikelanes

"I never thought leopards would eat MY face!" sobs Ellettsville Town Council.

“These other places that are sitting there saying it’s impossible and the sky’s falling, well, the laws are directed towards people like that, not us,” Ellis said.

https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/ellettsville-leaders-welcome-opportunity-to-prove-the-town-is-financial-responsible.php

@bloomington_in

#Ellettsville #INLegis

City of Bloomington Launches E-Bike Voucher Program to Expand Sustainable Transportation

The City of Bloomington's Pilot e-Bike Voucher Program provides point-of-purchase e-bike vouchers for of up to $2,000 for qualified low-income residents that can be used towards the purchase of an e-bike at the following local bike shops; Bicycle Garage, Bloomington Bicycles, and Revolution Bike and Bean.

https://bloomington.in.gov/news/2025/02/07/6170

@bloomington_in

#ebikes

Reporter Joe Hren asks: Convention leaders pushing expansion along, but where's the parking?

Easy-Peasy! Provide a great pedestrian area, lots of buses and bike-shares, and we're in like Flynn! Who needs parking?

"Architects presented updated renderings and floor plans at a recent CIB meeting. The refinements help get the project within budget...The expansion amounts to about 61,000 square feet"

https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/convention-leaders-pushing-expansion-along-but-wheres-the-parking.php

@bloomington_in

#CarsRuinEverything

Kirkwood Avenue to close for annual Outdoor Dining Program

"Predictable economic stability and improved safety to Kirkwood.

“Students are able to walk through the streets. They’re going across the streets without worrying about cars, Ubers, DoorDash. It brings a sense of order and safety to that area,” said Costello."

My only complaint: "Some residents voiced concern over accessibility issues" but 40% of people with disabilities don't drive anyway.

https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/kirkwood-avenue-to-close-for-annual-outdoor-dining-program.php

@bloomington_in

Bloomington Peace Choir performing at the library for Martin Luther King Jr. Day @bloomington_in

Mr. Hogan Goes To Washington

"So, I picked up the credentials from the ... Inauguration Committee today and asked if there was a schedule. They were very hostile, to be honest, and I thought, “That’s weird.” Then it started leaking that all the ... inauguration activities, even the parade, would be indoors. Even worse, there would only be eight credentialed photographers allowed to photograph it."

https://bloomingtonian.com/2025/01/17/column-locked-out-in-the-cold-in-d-c/?utm%5C_source=rss&utm%5C_medium=rss&utm%5C_campaign=column-locked-out-in-the-cold-in-d-c

@bloomington_in

Law Lane Pedestrian Safety Audit

"Last year, a pedestrian was struck crossing Law Lane at Fee Lane in Bloomington, Indiana. Was this a one-off accident, or has there been a pattern of crashes at that intersection? Are there changes that could be made to improve pedestrian safety in the area?"

https://mark.stosberg.com/law-lane/

@bloomington_in @markstos

#UrbanPlanning